Calgary's played horribly when it reached the score zone last week and couldn't get a touchdown in an 18-14 loss to Edmonton. The Stamps split the home-and-home with the Eskimos. Hamilton put itself in a 17-0 hole early and couldn't make a comeback work in a 32-14 loss to Montreal.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

The Stamps took both meetings last season, winning 39-17 in Hamilton with backup Jason Gesser at the helm, then taking the return engagement 34-17 with starter Henry Burris returning from his thumb injury. Calgary leads the all-time series 43-28.

HAMILTON -- Dynamic RB Corey Holmes is back in Hamilton nursing an ankle sprain and won't play, although he is still on the active roster. Josh Ranek will get the reps at running back. WR Willie Quinnie makes his debut and will back up Craig Yeast on returns. Canadian DB Sandy Beveridge and former Stampeder DL James Cotton return to the active roster as well.

KEYS TO VICTORY:

1. Slowing the Ball -- Josh Ranek, AKA the Little Ball of Hate, has scorched the Stampeders defence in the past. The power runner seems to find seams within the three-four defence that defensive co-ordinator Denny Creehan employs. If the Ticats get a lead, the Stamps will see a heavy dose of Ranek.

2. Changing of the hogs -- RT Jeff Pilon will sit out with a groin injury, giving University of Calgary Dinos product Tyler Lynem his first CFL start on offensive line. The converted d-lineman will be key to running the ball at right tackle but he did a decent job last week in relief against Edmonton. The Stamps also might make a change at centre, with sophomore John Comiskey moving in for Godrey Ellis.

3. Finding Nik -- The demonstrative trash talker Nik Lewis was quiet last week in Edmonton, only catching one pass. He wasn't much of a factor in the season-opener either, until Henry Burris found him on a third-and-long for the winning touchdown. Getting Lewis the ball will be imperative because he can do tremendous damage on crossing routes.

KEY STAT:

1.7 -- The average yards per rush Josh Ranek accumulated last week against the Montreal Alouettes.